Profiles in Dedication: Athletes at MIT
To most of the world looking in, MIT is about its research. To most of its students, MIT is about the education. But for a select few, nothing gets them as excited as the athletics. The hard work and dedication of many talented student-athletes have created a strong presence for MIT in the collegiate athletic community, and their performance has helped shape a legacy that will persist beyond their graduation. These are a few of their stories.
News Briefs
MIT wrestler Joseph B. Silverman ’10 has been impressive all season for the Engineers, but his performance in January 26’s quad meet will be one to remember. In front of his home crowd, Silverman defeated Bridgewater State University’s James Quinlan, the top ranked wrestler in New England and seventh ranked Division III wrestler in the nation at 184 pounds. The 4-0 decision was one of three victories on the day for Silverman, bringing his overall individual record to 21-11 this season.
Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, Giants End Patriots’ Perfect Run
In last week’s issue of <i>The Tech</i>, I wrote that Super Bowl XLII would be the “coronation of the greatest football team in history. … Patriots win, no-contest. New England is better in every facet of the game.” Well, clearly I was wrong.
Game of the Week: Yuan’s Jumper Lifts Engineers Over Coast Guard
A baseline jumper by Clara J. Yuan ’09 with 7.2 seconds on the clock helped lift MIT to a 47-45 victory over the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in a New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference women’s basketball game on Saturday. With the win, the Engineers improved to 9-9 on the year and 2-5 in conference play, while the Bears (14-3), previously on a school-record seven game winning streak, suffered its first NEWMAC loss of the season.
Patriots Face Final Challenge In Giants on Road to Perfection
Whether you’re interested in football or not, you’ll be watching Sunday night as the New England Patriots face off against the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. Not because you think it’ll be a close football game (which it will be), and not because of the commercials (which always disappoint).
Game of the Week: 15th Ranked Men, Despite Youth, Hold Off Tufts
MIT’s 15th-ranked men’s swimming and diving team improved its dual meet record to 6-1 Saturday afternoon, as the visiting Engineers edged past Tufts University, 154-144. Laurent Charpentier ’09, Luke R. Cummings ’10, Rastislav Racz ’10, and Toomas R. Sepp ’11 were each a part of three victories to help lead MIT against the Jumbos, who fell to 4-2 after their second consecutive loss.
The Tech’s Athlete of the Week: Kimberly E. Soo Hoo ’08
Women’s basketball senior captain Kimberly E. Soo Hoo ’08 set the Institute record for assists in a career after dishing out seven assists in MIT’s 59-49 victory over Mount Holyoke College on Saturday. The previous career record was 349.
Eight-Ranked Men’s Volleyball Outlasted By No. 1 Springfield
Fans filled the stands in Rockwell Cage Saturday night as the MIT men’s volleyball team, ranked eighth in the nation, hosted the top-ranked team in the country, Springfield College. In their second match of the season, the Engineers fought hard against the Pride, managing to take a game off them before eventually losing 30-27, 27-30, 30-26, 30-25.
NHL Unable to Attract New Fans for Numerous Reasons
Sometimes I wonder why more people aren’t hockey fans. Sports in the United States are built around four major leagues: the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, and the National Hockey League. Sure, more people watch NASCAR than any other sport in the country; Major League Soccer has tried its best to make people to pay attention to a sport whose popularity directly correlates to the quality of the U.S. National Team; and the only thing the average person on the street knows about Major League Lacrosse is that its acronym is MLL. But for some reason, people haven’t kicked the NHL out of that group yet.
Cowboys’ WR Owens Models the Hypocrisy In Sports
Consider the following scenarios: Quarterback A vomits during the last drive of a game during a playoff loss, causing people to question his fitness. Quarterback B vacations in Mexico with his famous girlfriend prior to a playoff loss, causing people to question his focus.
Patriots Stay Perfect; Giants Shock Packers In NFC Championship
While the New England Patriots’ pursuit of perfection remains intact after finishing off the San Diego Chargers, their final hurdle is an unlikely one. Apparently, the clock has not quite struck midnight for the New York Giants, who ended the Green Bay Packers’ run at a Super Bowl appearance. Before we preview the Super Bowl in next week’s issue, here are our recaps of the conference championships.
Tech Athletes of the Week: Amy E. Jacobi ’11 and Michael J. Dobson ’11
Amy E. Jacobi ’11 helped the women’s swimming and diving team capture a 170-124 victory over Colby College on Saturday afternoon, placing first in four different events. MIT swept the top three positions in the 50-yard freestyle with Jacobi clocking in at 24.64 seconds, just ahead of teammates Sarah B. King ’10 (25.93 seconds) and Ashley E. Pinchinat ’10 (26.46 seconds). She also earned victories in the 100-yard (54.42) and 500-yard (5:10.50) freestyle events. Jacobi’s fourth victory came as the lead on the 200-yard freestyle relay team, with teammates King, Jacquelyn M. Nowicke ’08, and Pinchinat, who won with a time of 1:43.13.
Patriots and Packers Predicted to Face Off In NFL Championship
This weekend’s divisional championships feature a cast of characters that would make Hollywood jealous (or at least ready to pitch a screenplay).